Shortly after being booked for diving, he cancelled out Craig Gardner’s shock opener with his right foot and then produced a brilliant left-footed volley to give United all three points.

The goals may well hit United in the pocket, as Januzaj is yet to sign an extension to his contract that expires at the end of this season.

Europe’s top clubs are watching the situation and will no doubt see replay after replay of Januzaj’s second strike. The winger’s agent will be debating how many zeros to add to his original demand.

Januzaj had comfortably been United’s best performer in a dismal first half that could have ended with Sunderland out of sight.

Rio Ferdinand was left out as Moyes paired Phil Jones with Nemanja Vidic in the centre of defence.

It took just five minutes for that decision to backfire. Emanuele Giaccherini crossed and Jones sent his attempted clearance straight at Vidic, who failed to control the ball, allowing Gardner to fire past David De Gea. Most people inside the ground expected the Alamo at that point and they got it – from Sunderland.

Gardner robbed Jones and escaped down the left but with Jose Altidore unmarked in the box and screaming for the pass, he hesitated and Jones recovered to make a saving tackle.

(Image: Laurence Griffiths)

Vidic and Jones had De Gea to thank 11 minutes before the break for making a save United legend Peter Schmeichel described as “one of the best in Premier League history”.

United left the smallest man on the pitch, Giaccherini, unmarked to meet Adam Johnson’s cross with his head but De Gea somehow turned the ball around his post.

Wayne Rooney had been given virtually nothing to feed off and his frustration boiled over when Gardner took the ball off him in midfield. As Gardner tried to skip clear, Rooney tripped him and was promptly booked by referee Chris Foy.

Giaccherini was then guilty of squandering a wonderful chance on the stroke of half-time, when he skied the ball over the bar after more good work from Johnson. Januzaj was booked for diving inside the Sunderland penalty area but more than made up by equalising in the 55th minute.

Patrice Evra raided down the left and crossed low for Januzaj to arrive in the box and sidefoot past Keiren Westwood.

The goal prompted a muted celebration from Moyes (above left, with Januzaj) who no doubt realised that a draw would still not be good enough.

So when Januzaj volleyed United into the lead six minutes later, Moyes jumped outside his technical area in delight.

Nani crossed from the right, John O’Shea headed the ball into the air and Januzaj sent a perfect left-foot volley rocketing into the net.

Another United star is born and Moyes can breathe easy again – for now.